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nada_z's review
5.0
I ordered this edition by mistake instead of “orphan train” but i was amazed by how Christina described every detail and the characters’ emotions to the point I felt as if I was watching them.
velcroedtobooks's review against another edition
4.0
To be honest I was a little skeptical when I picked up the book as it was for young readers. I'm glad I didn't put it back. This novel was full of life and emotion.
Christina Kline has beautifully portrayed the life of a young girl in the 1900s, who gets shipped off on an orphan train and gets paraded around in every station like she was being auctioned off. Fast forward to the present and there is yet another orphan living a different life but yet shares the same sorrows.
The story was an easy read, as expected from a young reader's edition but the novel was still a page turner. The simultaneous narration of the lives of both the women kept me intrigued. I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what happened to that little girl on the orphan train and how she got to where she was in the present day. The depth and emotions of the characters were spot on.
Definitely recommend this novel.
Christina Kline has beautifully portrayed the life of a young girl in the 1900s, who gets shipped off on an orphan train and gets paraded around in every station like she was being auctioned off. Fast forward to the present and there is yet another orphan living a different life but yet shares the same sorrows.
The story was an easy read, as expected from a young reader's edition but the novel was still a page turner. The simultaneous narration of the lives of both the women kept me intrigued. I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what happened to that little girl on the orphan train and how she got to where she was in the present day. The depth and emotions of the characters were spot on.
Definitely recommend this novel.
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really sweet feel good for a day when you really need to feel good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Grief, and Incest
joy323's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bethgiven's review
3.0
Molly, a child in the foster care system, is assigned to some community service hours at Vivian's home, organizing some old belongings in the attic. As the pair go through the boxes together, Vivian's story of her childhood is revealed: an Irish immigrant who loses her family, she is put in an orphanage and then travels west on the orphan train.
My eight-year-old son and I read this for Battle of the Books. We both enjoyed other books more than this one; this one was definitely longer and more involved than the other books on his list. By the end, we were enjoying the story for the most part, but neither of us loved it. I felt like the dual timeline wasn't particularly engaging or necessary.
My eight-year-old son and I read this for Battle of the Books. We both enjoyed other books more than this one; this one was definitely longer and more involved than the other books on his list. By the end, we were enjoying the story for the most part, but neither of us loved it. I felt like the dual timeline wasn't particularly engaging or necessary.
stuhlsem's review
3.0
Sweet historical fiction about the parallels between a modern-day foster child and a historical orphan who traveled across the country on an orphan train. There is apparently a grownup version of this book, that I am now really excited to read!
ana_07's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
madizig21's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0